Multi-anvil high pressure press and related methods

Abstract

A high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) press is provided having a plurality of press bases. In one embodiment, the press includes eight or more press bases arranged in one of an octahedral, a dodecahedral or an icosahedral geometry. The press bases may include, or be coupled with, anvils configured to converge on a central region. An octahedral, a dodecahedral or an icosahedral reaction cell may be positioned at the central region for pressing by the converging anvils. In one embodiment, the reaction cell may include an opening, such as a through-hole, extending from a first face of the reaction cell to a second, opposite face of the reaction cell. One or more canisters containing materials to be sintered may be disposed in the opening to be subjected to a HTHP process.

1 . A high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) press comprising:
 a plurality of press bases arranged in an icosahedral geometry;   wherein:
 each press base includes a body portion housing a piston, the piston being displaceable toward a central region of the press; 
 each press base includes an anvil coupled with the piston; 
 each anvil includes an engagement surface and a side surface, wherein each anvil is displaceable along an associated centerline relative to a center region associated with an intersection of the centerlines; and 
 when each of two adjacent anvils of the plurality of anvils is displaced along the associated centerline thereof at a rate of {dot over (x)}, the side surfaces of each of the two adjacent anvils are displaced towards each other at a rate of ġ, and wherein the ratio of ġ/{dot over (x)} is 0.357. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The press of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement surface of each anvil includes a substantially planar face having a periphery exhibiting one of a triangular, a rectangular, a hexagonal, or a pentagonal geometry. 
     
     
         5 . The press of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the anvils are coupled with a source of electrical energy. 
     
     
         6 . The press of  claim 1 , further comprising a reaction cell disposed in a central region of the press, wherein each of the anvils is in contact with a separate face of the reaction cell. 
     
     
         7 . The press of  claim 6 , wherein the reaction cell includes a through hole extending from a first face of the reaction cell to a second face of the reaction cell. 
     
     
         8 . The press of  claim 7 , wherein the reaction cell includes a heating element and at least one canister containing a sinterable material. 
     
     
         9 . The press of  claim 6 , wherein the reaction cell comprises two mating halves assembled together. 
     
     
         10 . The press of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tie bars, wherein each tie bar extends between, and is coupled to, a pair of adjacent bases. 
     
     
         11 . A reaction cell for use in a high-temperature, high pressure (HTHP) press, the reaction cell comprising:
 a body exhibiting one of an octahedral, a dodecahedral or an icosahedral geometry, the body including a through hole extending from a first face to a second face of the body.   
     
     
         12 . The reaction cell of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one canister disposed within the through-hole, the at least one canister containing a sinterable material. 
     
     
         13 . The reaction cell of  claim 12 , further comprising a heating element disposed within the through-hole and adjacent the at least one canister. 
     
     
         14 . The reaction cell of  claim 11 , wherein the through hole includes first section exhibiting a first diameter and a second section exhibiting a second diameter. 
     
     
         15 . A high-pressure, high-temperature (HTHP) press comprising:
 a plurality of anvils, wherein each anvil includes an engagement surface and a side surface, and wherein each anvil is displaceable along an associated centerline relative to a center region associated with an intersection of the centerlines;   wherein, when each of two adjacent anvils of the plurality of anvils is displaced along its associated centerlines at a rate of {dot over (x)}, the side surfaces of each of the two adjacent anvils are displaced towards each other at a rate of ġ, and wherein the ratio of ġ/{dot over (x)} is 0.357 or less.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The press of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of bases, each base being associated with one of the plurality of anvils and configured to displace the associated anvil along its associated centerline. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The press of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of anvils includes at least 20 anvils arranged in an icosahedral geometry. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled)